Why is it called a Charlie card?

Boston's CharlieCard is named after the fictional character in the 1949 folk song "Charlie on the MTA," about a man stuck on the subway because he couldn't pay a fare increase, and it honors this piece of Boston's cultural history. The reusable transit card serves as a payment method for the MBTA, the city's transit system, and replaced tokens.

Why is MBTA called CharlieCard?

"Charlie on the MTA" was written as a campaign song for Mayoral candidate Walter A. O'Brien, Jr. in 1949. It tells the story of a subway rider named Charlie, stuck on an endless train ride underneath the streets of Boston because he was unable to pay the exit fare.

Who is Charlie from CharlieCard?

Written in 1949 by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes for Massachusetts Progressive Party mayoral candidate Walter O'Brien, the song tells the story of Charlie, a fictional character from Boston, who gets trapped underground on the M.T.A.

What is a CharlieCard?

CharlieCards are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares. CharlieCards are available at fare vending machines in most subway stations.

Why is the MBTA called the T?

Boston's public transit system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), is called "the T" because of its iconic circular logo featuring a large "T," symbolizing Transportation, which was inspired by Stockholm's subway system design in the 1960s when the MBTA was formed. Locals adopted the simple "T" for the entire system, especially the subway (trolleys/trains), which includes the colorful Red, Orange, Green, and Blue lines.
 

How to use a Charlie Card

What do Bostonians call the subway?

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates rapid transit (heavy rail), light rail, and bus rapid transit services in the Boston metropolitan area, collectively referred to as the rapid transit, subway, the T system, or simply the T. MBTA subway.

What is the unhealthiest subway sandwich?

The unhealthiest Subway sandwiches are typically loaded with processed meats, excessive cheese, and high-calorie sauces like mayo, with the Beast Sub (packed with processed meats) or the Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt (high fat/sodium) often cited as top contenders, alongside the Tuna Sub due to its high mayo content. These choices rack up high calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats, making them comparable to less healthy fast-food options despite Subway's "fresh" image. 

Can two people use the same CharlieCard?

Both CharlieCards and CharlieTickets can be used by multiple different people to pay for fares at the same faregate or farebox. Imagine a CharlieCard to be a wallet with two compartments: the first compartment holds a pass and the second compartment holds stored cash value.

What is the difference between a ticket and a CharlieCard?

CharlieCards are hard plastic reusable cards that serve as a convenient way to pay bus and subway fares. Value can be reloaded with cash or credit card at the fare machines at all subway stations. CharlieTickets resemble a regular ticket and can be reloaded up to 18 months after the purchase date.

Can you use a CharlieCard to pay for Commuter Rail?

Note: CharlieCards are not accepted on Commuter Rail with the exception of cards with monthly Commuter Rail passes. These cards are printed with the month and zone of the pass and can be used to pay for both bus/subway and Commuter Rail.

Do CharlieCards expire?

CharlieCards distributed later had expiration dates printed on them and are valid for ten years, with the exception of Student CharlieCards which expire at the end of the school year they are issued.

Why is it called Good Luck Charlie?

Ostensibly written as a series of flashbacks, somewhat like Wonder Years, every episode ends with a video diary of Teddy offering advice to Charlie. “Good luck, Charlie” are her words to end each show.

What is the story behind the song Charlie on the MTA?

Known informally as "Charlie on the MTA", the song's lyrics tell an absurd tale of a man named Charlie trapped on Boston's subway system, which was then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The song was originally recorded as a mayoral campaign song for Progressive Party candidate Walter A. O'Brien.

What is the nickname for Boston?

Boston's most famous nickname is "Beantown," stemming from its colonial-era love for baked beans slow-cooked with molasses, but it's also known as "The Hub" (short for "Hub of the Universe") and "The Athens of America," reflecting its historical, intellectual, and cultural significance, as well as "The Cradle of Liberty" due to its role in the American Revolution. 

What is the oldest line in MBTA?

Green Line (MBTA) The Green Line is a light rail system run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. It is the oldest MBTA subway line, and with tunnel sections dating from 1897, the oldest subway in North America.

Why are MBTA trains purple?

MBTA Commuter Rail trains are purple primarily for practicality: it was chosen in 1974 as a bright, distinct color to easily differentiate it from the subway lines on maps and signage, being the "next bright color on the list," though some associate it with "royal" hues. Other lines have symbolic links (Red to Harvard, Blue to harbor, Green to Emerald Necklace), but the Commuter Rail's color was chosen more for visibility and differentiation in the system.
 

Do I have to tap my card when I get off the bus?

To pay the right fare, always touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. On a bus or tram you only need to touch in. Because where you touch in and out tells us where you've travelled from and to, so we can charge you the right fare for your journey.

Do buses in Boston take CharlieCard?

Express Buses travel in suburbs and communities outside the city and make stops in downtown Boston. Note: Contactless payment readers on Express Buses only charge Express Bus fare. To pay Local Bus fare on an Express Bus, notify the bus operator and pay with cash or a CharlieCard at the fare box.

Is the Boston subway free for students?

BUA students are able to ride the T for a discounted rate either by using a Student Stored Value CharlieCard or a Student CharlieCard Pass. MBTA passes are provided free of charge for all City of Boston residents who live more than 2 miles from campus as well as for those families who receive financial aid.

Can I use Apple Pay instead of CharlieCard?

Tap with Express Transit Mode. With Express Mode, you can use your Apple Wallet on Charlie readers without unlocking or authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. If your iPhone has zero to low battery, you may still be able to access Express Mode or Apple Pay with Power Reserve.

Can you share an MTA card?

Regular MetroCard (Pay-Per-Ride)

This $1 cannot be used to pay for rides (and is therefore not reflected in the balance). In this card mode, the cost of riding the subway is $2.90 per ride (regardless of the destination or length of the ride). Pay-Per-Ride cards can be shared by up to four people.

Can two people use one card?

What is a joint credit card? A joint credit card account allows two people to access and share ownership of the same line of credit. Because they're co-owners, both people are responsible for managing and repaying what's charged to the account.

Is Subway or McDonald's worse for you?

The sides (fries, potatoes chips) and drinks contributed more calories at McDonald's while the sandwich itself, more at Subway. Looking at the overall meal, the Subway meal in terms of protein and sugar was slightly healthier than McDonald's and provided more vegetables, however it was higher in sodium.

What is the safest thing to eat at Subway?

Meat: Deli meats tend to be higher in sodium and fat. The turkey, rotisserie chicken, Black Forest ham, grilled chicken and roast beef are the healthiest picks. Cheese: Score some extra protein by ordering your sandwich with extra cheese. Just beware that some cheeses (like American) are higher in sodium.

What is the price of a footlong sub?

A footlong sub at Subway generally costs between $9 and $15, but can vary significantly by location, specific sandwich, and current deals, with some locations offering basic footlongs for around $7-$10 and premium ones higher, especially in big cities like Manhattan. You can often find better prices, like a $6.99 footlong deal, through app coupons or promotions, but expect to pay more in high-cost areas.